U.S. patent number 11,302,004 [Application Number 16/255,201] was granted by the patent office on 2022-04-12 for control apparatus, radiographic imaging system, control method, and storage medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The grantee listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yasutomo Shimizu.
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United States Patent |
11,302,004 |
Shimizu |
April 12, 2022 |
Control apparatus, radiographic imaging system, control method, and
storage medium
Abstract
A control apparatus includes a reception unit that receives a
plurality of reduced images included in a radiographic image in
stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus, and a display control
unit that, in a case where the radiographic image meets a
pre-determined standard, displays a first image generated from the
reduced images on a display unit, and in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
displays on the display unit a second image generated from more
reduced images than the reduced images from which the first image
is generated.
Inventors: |
Shimizu; Yasutomo (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
67392338 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/255,201 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190236781 A1 |
Aug 1, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 30, 2018 [JP] |
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JP2018-013688 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T
7/0012 (20130101); G16H 30/40 (20180101); G06T
7/0014 (20130101); G06T 2207/30168 (20130101); G06T
2207/10116 (20130101); G06T 2207/20016 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
9/00 (20060101); G06T 7/00 (20170101); G16H
30/40 (20180101) |
Field of
Search: |
;382/132 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2006-376 |
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Jan 2006 |
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JP |
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2006000376 |
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Jan 2006 |
|
JP |
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2014000134 |
|
Jan 2014 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Huynh; Van D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Canon U.S.A., Inc. IP Division
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control apparatus comprising: a reception unit configured to
receive a plurality of reduced images included in a radiographic
image in stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus; and a
display control unit configured to, in a case where the
radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, display a first
image generated from reduced images included in the plurality of
reduced images on a display unit, and in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
display on the display unit a second image generated from reduced
images which are included in the plurality of reduced images and of
which the number is larger than the number of the reduced images
from which the first image is generated, wherein the pre-determined
standard is not met when at least one of following conditions is
satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected from the radiographic
image, (b) a particular part in the radiographic image is missing,
and (c) an amount of emitted radiation detected from the
radiographic image exceeds a pre-set threshold.
2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
generation unit configured to, in a case where the reception unit
receives a first number of the reduced images, generate the first
image based on the first number of the reduced images, and in a
case where the reception unit receives a second number of the
reduced images greater than the first number, generate the second
image based on the second number of the reduced images.
3. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
determination unit configured to, based on the second image,
determine whether the radiographic image meets the pre-determined
standard.
4. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
determination unit configured to, based on the first image,
determine whether the radiographic image meets the pre-determined
standard.
5. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first generation unit configured to, in a case where the
reception unit receives a first number of the reduced images,
generate the first image based on the first number of the reduced
images; a determination unit configured to, based on the first
image, determine whether the radiographic image meets the
pre-determined standard; and a second generation unit configured
to, in a case where the determination unit determines that the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
generate the second image based on a second number of the reduced
images, wherein the display control unit performs control to, in a
case where the determination unit determines that the radiographic
image does not meet the pre-determined standard, display the second
image.
6. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display
control unit performs control to, in a case where a resolution of
the display unit is greater than or equal to a threshold and the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
display the second image.
7. The control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display
control unit performs control to, in a case where the resolution of
the display unit is less than the threshold, display the first
image, regardless of whether the radiographic image meets the
pre-determined standard.
8. The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a first generation unit configured to, in a case where the
reception unit receives a first number of the reduced images,
generate the first image based on the first number of the reduced
images; and a second generation unit configured to, in a case where
it is determined that the radiographic image does not meet the
pre-determined standard, generate, based on a second number of the
reduced images, the second image in an area where the radiographic
image is determined as not meeting the pre-determined standard,
wherein the display control unit performs control to, in a case
where the radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined
standard, display the second image generated by the second
generation unit in a superimposed manner on the first image.
9. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display
control unit performs control to, in a case where the radiographic
image does not meet the pre-determined standard, display, on the
display unit, information indicating that the radiographic image
does not meet the pre-determined standard.
10. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display
control unit performs control to, in a case where the radiographic
image does not meet the pre-determined standard, display an area
where the radiographic image is determined as not meeting the
pre-determined standard in the second image, such that the area is
located in a center area of the display unit.
11. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second
image is an image generated from all the reduced images included in
the radiographic image.
12. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first
image is an image generated based on a smaller number of reduced
images than all the reduced images included in the radiographic
image.
13. A control apparatus comprising: a reception unit configured to
receive a radiographic image from a radiographic imaging apparatus;
and a display control unit configured to, in a case where the
radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, display a
low-resolution image on a display unit, and in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
display a high-resolution image on the display unit, wherein the
pre-determined standard is not met when at least one of following
conditions is satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected from the
radiographic image, (b) a particular part in the radiographic image
is missing, and (c) an amount of emitted radiation detected from
the radiographic image exceeds a pre-set threshold.
14. A radiographic imaging system comprising: a reception unit
configured to receive a plurality of reduced images included in a
radiographic image in stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus;
a display unit configured to display the radiographic image; and a
display control unit configured to, in a case where the
radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, display a first
image generated from reduced images included in the plurality of
reduced images on the display unit, and in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
display on the display unit a second image generated from reduced
images which are included in the plurality of reduced images and of
which the number is larger than the number of the reduced images
from which the first image is generated, wherein the pre-determined
standard is not met when at least one of following conditions is
satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected from the radiographic
image, (b) a particular part in the radiographic image is missing,
and (c) an amount of emitted radiation detected from the
radiographic image exceeds a pre-set threshold.
15. A radiographic imaging system comprising: a reception unit
configured to receive a radiographic image from a radiographic
imaging apparatus; a display unit configured to display the
radiographic image; and a display control unit configured to, in a
case where the radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard,
display a low-resolution image on the display unit, and in a case
where the radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined
standard, display a high-resolution image on the display unit,
wherein the pre-determined standard is not met when at least one of
following conditions is satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected
from the radiographic image, (b) a particular part in the
radiographic image is missing, and (c) an amount of emitted
radiation detected from the radiographic image exceeds a pre-set
threshold.
16. A control method comprising: receiving a plurality of reduced
images included in a radiographic image in stages from a
radiographic imaging apparatus; and displaying, in a case where the
radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, a first image
generated from reduced images included in the plurality of reduced
images on a display unit, and displaying, in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard, on
the display unit a second image generated from reduced images which
are included in the plurality of reduced images and of which the
number is larger than the number of the reduced images from which
the first image is generated, and wherein the pre-determined
standard is not met when at least one of following conditions is
satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected from the radiographic
image, (b) a particular part in the radiographic image is missing,
and (c) an amount of emitted radiation detected from the
radiographic image exceeds a pre-set threshold.
17. A control method comprising: receiving a radiographic image
from a radiographic imaging apparatus; and displaying, in a case
where the radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, a
low-resolution image on a display unit, and displaying, in a case
where the radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined
standard, a high-resolution image on the display unit, wherein the
pre-determined standard is not met when at least one of following
conditions is satisfied: (a) a body movement is detected from the
radiographic image, (b) a particular part in the radiographic image
is missing, and (c) an amount of emitted radiation detected from
the radiographic image exceeds a pre-set threshold.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
program for causing a computer to execute a method, the method
comprising: receiving a plurality of reduced images included in a
radiographic image in stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus;
and displaying, in a case where the radiographic image meets a
pre-determined standard, a first image generated from reduced
images included in the plurality of reduced images on a display
unit, and displaying, in a case where the radiographic image does
not meet the pre-determined standard, on the display unit a second
image generated from reduced images which are included in the
plurality of reduced images and of which the number is larger than
the number of the reduced images from which the first image is
generated, wherein the pre-determined standard is not met when at
least one of following conditions is satisfied: (a) a body movement
is detected from the radiographic image, (b) a particular part in
the radiographic image is missing, and (c) an amount of emitted
radiation detected from the radiographic image exceeds a pre-set
threshold.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
program for causing a computer to execute a method, the method
comprising: receiving a radiographic image from a radiographic
imaging apparatus; and displaying, in a case where the radiographic
image meets a pre-determined standard, a low-resolution image on a
display unit, and displaying, in a case where the radiographic
image does not meet the pre-determined standard, a high-resolution
image on the display unit, wherein the pre-determined standard is
not met when at least one of following conditions is satisfied: (a)
a body movement is detected from the radiographic image, (b) a
particular part in the radiographic image is missing, and (c) an
amount of emitted radiation detected from the radiographic image
exceeds a pre-set threshold.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
The present disclosure relates to a control apparatus, a
radiographic imaging system, a control method, and a storage
medium.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as a medical image capturing system in the medical
field, a radiographic imaging system using radiation is known.
Owing to the digitalization of a radiographic imaging system, the
system in which a radiographic imaging apparatus generates a
digital radiographic captured image, thereby enabling checking of
an image immediately after radiographic imaging is widely used.
This improves a workflow as compared with a conventional imaging
method using a film and enables imaging in a short cycle. There is
also known a system in which radiographic captured images are
received in stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus, an
intermediate image is generated by reducing data based on the
received radiographic captured images, and the intermediate image
is displayed, thereby shortening the time until an image is
displayed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-376 discusses a
technique for detecting an image that does not meet a standard for
a diagnosis medical image and is likely to require re-imaging, as
an image likely to require re-imaging, and giving warning in a case
where such an image is detected. Based on this, an operator
determines whether re-imaging is necessary. However, in order for
the operator to determine whether re-imaging is necessary,
ultimately, the operator needs to perform visual confirmation work.
Thus, various improvements are desired.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to improving the efficiency of
confirmation work for determining whether re-imaging is necessary.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a control
apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a
plurality of reduced images included in a radiographic image in
stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus, and a display control
unit configured to, in a case where the radiographic image meets a
pre-determined standard, display a first image generated from the
reduced images on a display unit, and in a case where the
radiographic image does not meet the pre-determined standard,
display on the display unit a second image generated from more
reduced images than the reduced images from which the first image
is generated.
Further features will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a radiographic
imaging system.
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the radiographic
imaging system.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in an image quality-priority mode.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in a speed-priority mode.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a display process according to a
second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a display process according to a
third exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a display process according to a
fourth exemplary embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the
drawings.
A first exemplary embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a
hardware configuration diagram of a radiographic imaging system.
This system includes a control apparatus 100, a radiographic
imaging apparatus 110, and a radiation generating apparatus 120
connected via the network 130. The network 130 may be a wired
network or a wireless network.
The control apparatus 100 is an apparatus that includes an
information processing apparatus such as a computer and
communicates with the radiographic imaging apparatus 110 and
controls radiographic imaging. The control apparatus 100
communicates with the radiation generating apparatus 120 and
acquires information regarding emission of radiation from the
radiation generating apparatus 120. The control apparatus 100
includes a network device 101 that connects to the network 130, an
input device 102 such as a keyboard that receives a user operation,
and a display device 103 such as a liquid crystal display that
displays an operation screen and a radiographic image. The control
apparatus 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 104 that
controls the entire apparatus, a random-access memory (RAM) 105
that provides a work space for the CPU 104, and a storage device
106 that stores various control programs and a radiographic image
received from the radiographic imaging apparatus 110. The devices
included in the control apparatus 100 are connected by a main bus
107 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other. While
the input device 102 and the display device 103 are separate
devices in the above description, an operation unit in which these
devices are integrated can be used.
The radiographic imaging apparatus 110 is an apparatus that, based
on an instruction from the control apparatus 100, transitions to a
state where the radiographic imaging apparatus 110 can perform
imaging, performs radiographic imaging in synchronization with the
radiation generating apparatus 120, and generates an image based on
radiation emitted from the radiation generating apparatus 120. The
radiographic imaging apparatus 110 includes a network device 111
that connects to the network 130, a CPU 112 that controls the
entire apparatus, a RAM 113 that provides a work space for the CPU
112, and a storage device 114 that stores control programs and a
generated image. Further, the radiographic imaging apparatus 110
includes a radiation detection panel 115. The radiation detection
panel 115 includes, for example, a flat panel detector (FPD) and
generates an electric signal based on the amount of radiation,
thereby generating a radiographic image. The devices included in
the radiographic imaging apparatus 110 are connected by a main bus
116 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other. The
number of radiographic imaging apparatuses 110 is not limited to
one, and the configuration can be such that a plurality of
radiographic imaging apparatuses are used.
The radiographic imaging apparatus 110 reduces pixels at a
predetermined reducing rate from a radiographic image obtained by
radiographic imaging and generates a plurality of reduced images
divided into equal numbers of pixels at predetermined pixel
intervals. In this case, the plurality of reduced images are
included in the radiographic image. The radiographic imaging
apparatus 110 transmits the plurality of reduced images in stages
to the control apparatus 100.
The radiation generating apparatus 120 is an apparatus that detects
a radiation emission instruction from an emission switch 125, and
based on an emission condition set using an input device 126 such
as an operation panel for receiving a user operation, causes a
tubular lamp 127 to generate radiation. The radiation generating
apparatus 120 includes a network device 121 that connects to the
network 130, a CPU 122 that controls the entire apparatus, a RAM
123 that provides a work space for the CPU 122, and a storage
device 124 that stores control programs. The devices included in
the radiation generating apparatus 120 are connected by a main bus
128 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.
The function and the processing of the control apparatus 100
described below are achieved by the CPU 104 reading a program
stored in the storage device 106 and executing the program.
Similarly, the function and the processing of the radiographic
imaging apparatus 110 are achieved by the CPU 112 reading a program
stored in the storage device 114 and executing the program. The
function and the processing of the radiation generating apparatus
120 are achieved by the CPU 122 reading a program stored in the
storage device 124 and executing the program.
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the radiographic
imaging system. The control apparatus 100 includes a communication
unit 201, a system control unit 202, an image processing unit 203,
a display control unit 204, an image storage unit 205, and a
substandard image determination unit 206. The communication unit
201 controls the network device 101 to perform communication. The
system control unit 202 acquires emission information of the
radiation generating apparatus 120 and imaging information of the
radiographic imaging apparatus 110 and manages the states of the
radiation generating apparatus 120 and the radiographic imaging
apparatus 110 via the communication unit 201. The system control
unit 202 acquires a plurality of reduced images included in a
radiographic image in stages from the radiographic imaging
apparatus 110 via the communication unit 201. The system control
unit 202 executes the basic function of the radiographic imaging
apparatus 110 and controls the operations of the units of the
radiographic imaging apparatus 110.
The image processing unit 203 generates a high-definition image
from the reduced images included in the radiographic image acquired
via the system control unit 202. The image processing unit 203
generates a display high-definition image, an intermediate image,
and a display intermediate image. The high-definition image is an
image generated based on all the reduced images acquired in stages
from the radiographic imaging apparatus 110, i.e., all the reduced
images included in the radiographic image. In contrast, the
intermediate image is an image generated based on a smaller number
of reduced images than the number of all the reduced images
included in the radiographic image. The number of reduced images
used to generate the intermediate image is pre-determined. As
described above, the intermediate image is an image having lower
image quality than the high-definition image. The display
high-definition image is an image obtained by performing an
enlargement or reduction process on the high-definition image for
display on the display device 103. The display intermediate image
is an image obtained by performing an enlargement or reduction
process on the intermediate image for display on the display device
103.
In the present exemplary embodiment, an image generated based on
all the reduced images included in the radiographic image is
considered as the high-definition image. However, the
high-definition image may only need to be an image generated based
on a greater number of reduced images than the number of reduced
images used to generate the intermediate image. The intermediate
image and the high-definition image are examples of a first image
and a second image, respectively.
The display control unit 204 performs control to display various
types of information on the display device 103. The display control
unit 204 performs control to, for example, display an image
generated by the image processing unit 203. The display control
unit 204 reflects processing on an image based on an instruction
from the system control unit 202 based on an operation on the input
device 102 or displays the determination result of the substandard
image determination unit 206. The image storage unit 205 saves the
high-definition image generated by the image processing unit 203,
and emission information of the radiation generating apparatus 120
and imaging information of the radiographic imaging apparatus 110
related to the high-definition image. The substandard image
determination unit 206 determines whether an image obtained by
irradiation of radiation is a substandard image. The substandard
image is a radiographic image that does not meet a standard for a
diagnosis medical image and is likely to require re-imaging. Based
on a pre-determined condition, the substandard image determination
unit 206 determines whether the image is a substandard image. In
the present exemplary embodiment, the substandard image
determination unit 206 determines as a substandard image an image
in which a body movement is detected. As another example, the
substandard image determination unit 206 can determine as a
substandard image an image in which a particular part is missing or
an image in which the amount of emitted radiation exceeds a pre-set
threshold.
The radiographic imaging apparatus 110 includes an imaging
execution unit 211, an image generation unit 212, an image
correction unit 213, and a communication unit 214. The imaging
execution unit 211 acquires a radiographic image obtained by
emitting radiation. The imaging execution unit 211 acquires a dark
image (a dark output) when radiation is not emitted. Based on the
radiographic image generated by the imaging execution unit 211, the
image generation unit 212 generates imaging information with a
small data size. In the present exemplary embodiment, as the
imaging information, the average value of the pixel values of the
radiographic image is used. The image correction unit 213 corrects
the radiographic image using the dark image and generates a
processed radiographic image as a corrected image. The
communication unit 214 controls the network device 111 to perform
communication. For example, the communication unit 214 transmits
the imaging information generated by the image generation unit 212
to the control apparatus 100. The communication unit 214 transmits
a plurality of reduced images included in the radiographic image
generated by the image correction unit 213 in stages to the control
apparatus 100.
The radiation generating apparatus 120 includes a generating
apparatus control unit 221 and a communication unit 222. The
generating apparatus control unit 221 detects a radiation emission
instruction from the emission switch 125, and based on a setting
made using the input device 126, controls the tubular lamp 127 to
generate radiation. The communication unit 222 controls the network
device 111 to perform communication. For example, when the
generating apparatus control unit 221 detects a radiation emission
instruction from the emission switch 125, the communication unit
222 transmits an emission start notification to the radiographic
imaging apparatus 110. Then, after receiving an emission permission
notification from the radiographic imaging apparatus 110, the
generating apparatus control unit 221 performs control to generate
radiation and performs synchronous communication. The generating
apparatus control unit 221 transmits emission information of the
radiation generating apparatus 120 to the radiographic imaging
apparatus 110.
Next, a description will be provided of a process in which the
control apparatus 100 displays a radiographic image acquired from
the radiographic imaging apparatus 110. Regarding a display process
for displaying a radiographic image, the control apparatus 100 has
two modes, an image quality-priority mode and a speed-priority
mode. The image quality-priority mode is an operation mode that
prioritizes the image quality of the radiographic image over the
display speed of the radiographic image. The speed-priority mode is
an operation mode that prioritizes the display speed of the
radiographic image over the image quality of the radiographic
image. According to a user operation, the system control unit 202
sets either the image quality-priority mode or the speed-priority
mode. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for
displaying a radiographic image in the image quality-priority mode.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in the speed-priority mode.
In the image quality-priority mode, in step S301, the system
control unit 202 starts receiving, in stages from the radiographic
imaging apparatus 110, a plurality of reduced images included in a
radiographic captured image generated by the image correction unit
213 of the radiographic imaging apparatus 110. Next, in step 5302,
the system control unit 202 determines whether the number of the
received reduced images is greater than or equal to a
pre-determined particular number. The system control unit 202
continues to receive reduced images until the number of the
received reduced images is greater than or equal to the particular
number (NO in step S302). If the number of the received reduced
images is greater than or equal to the particular number (YES in
step S302), the processing proceeds to step S303. The particular
number is, for example, half the number of all the reduced
images.
In step S303, the system control unit 202 performs control to start
parallel processing between the processes of step S304 and
subsequent steps and the processes of step S307 and subsequent
steps. In step S304, based on the particular number of received
reduced images, the image processing unit 203 generates an
intermediate image. Next, in step S305, based on the particular
number of received reduced images, the image processing unit 203
generates a display intermediate image. Next, in step S306, the
display control unit 204 performs control to display the display
intermediate image on the display device 103.
In step S307, the system control unit 202 determines whether the
reception of all the reduced images from the radiographic imaging
apparatus 110 is completed. The system control unit 202 waits until
all the reduced images are received (NO in step S307). If all the
reduced images are received (YES in step S307), the processing
proceeds to step S308. In step S308, based on all the reduced
images received from the radiographic imaging apparatus 110, the
system control unit 202 generates a high-definition image. Then,
the image processing unit 203 saves the high-definition image in
the storage device 106. If the process of step S306 is completed,
and the process of step S308 is completed, the processing proceeds
to step S309.
In step S309 the system control unit 202 performs control to start
parallel processing between the processes of step S310 and
subsequent steps and the processes of step S313 and subsequent
steps. In step S310, based on all the reduced images received from
the radiographic imaging apparatus 110, the image processing unit
203 generates a display high-definition image. Next, in step S311,
the display control unit 204 performs control to display the
display high-definition image on the display device 103. That is,
by the process of step S311, the display on the display device 103
switches from the display intermediate image displayed in step S306
to the display high-definition image. At this time, if receiving a
user operation, the system control unit 202 performs a process
based on the user operation. Examples of the process include the
enlargement or reduction of the image, a gradation process, and an
input process for inputting examination information. Next, in step
S312, the system control unit 202 determines whether an examination
end instruction is received based on a user operation. The system
control unit 202 waits until an examination end instruction is
received (NO in step S312). If an examination end instruction is
received (YES in step S312), the processing ends.
In step S313, based on the high-definition image, the substandard
image determination unit 206 determines whether the received
radiographic image is a substandard image, i.e., whether a body
movement is detected. If a body movement is detected (YES in step
S313), the processing proceeds to step S314. If a body movement is
not detected (NO in step S313), the processing ends. In step S314,
the display control unit 204 performs control to display, on the
display device 103, warning information indicating that a body
movement is detected. The display control unit 204 performs control
to display a frame line indicating an area where the body movement
is detected, in a superimposed manner on the radiographic image
that is being displayed. Then, the processing ends. When the
processing ends, the display control unit 204 performs control to
end radiographic imaging and performs the process of transferring
the high-definition image to external storage (not
illustrated).
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description is provided of the
display process for displaying a radiographic image in the
speed-priority mode. The processes of steps S401 to S408
illustrated in FIG. 4 are similar to the processes of steps S301 to
S308 illustrated in FIG. 3. In step S409, the system control unit
202 performs control to start parallel processing between the
processes of step S410 and subsequent steps and the processes of
step S411 and subsequent steps. In step S410, the system control
unit 202 determines whether an examination end instruction is
received. The system control unit 202 waits until an examination
end instruction is received (NO in step S410). If an examination
end instruction is received (YES in step S410), the processing
ends. This process is similar to the process of step S312. In the
speed-priority mode, when the process of step S406 is completed,
the system control unit 202 can receive a user operation. If
receiving a user operation, the system control unit 202 can perform
a process based on the user operation.
In step S411, based on the high-definition image, the substandard
image determination unit 206 determines whether the received
radiographic image is a substandard image, i.e., whether a body
movement is detected. If a body movement is detected (YES in step
S411), the processing proceeds to step 5412. If a body movement is
not detected (NO in step S411), the processing ends.
In step S412, the display control unit 204 performs control to
display, on the display device 103, warning information indicating
that a body movement is detected. The display control unit 204
performs control to display a frame line indicating an area where
the body movement is detected, in a superimposed manner on the
radiographic image that is being displayed. This process is similar
to the process of step S314. Next, in step S413, based on all the
reduced images received from the radiographic imaging apparatus
110, the image processing unit 203 generates a display
high-definition image. Next, in step S414, the display control unit
204 performs control to display the display high-definition image
on the display device 103. That is, by the process of step S414,
the display on the display device 103 switches from the display
intermediate image displayed in step S406 to the display
high-definition image. Then, the processing ends. The processing
order of the processes of steps S412 and S413 is not particularly
limited. Alternatively, step S412 can be performed after the
processes of steps S413 and S414. In addition, the processes of
steps S412 and S413 can be performed simultaneously.
As described above, in the speed-priority mode, when a display
intermediate image is displayed on the display device 103, a user
operation can be received. This can shorten the time from the
confirmation of an imaging result by an operator to the end of an
examination. If a body movement is detected, a display target is
switched from the display intermediate image to a display
high-definition image. In this way, the operator can determine
whether to perform re-imaging by confirming the display
high-definition image. This can prevent the operator from
erroneously determining whether to perform re-imaging by confirming
a low-resolution image. That is, it is possible to more accurately
determine whether to perform re-imaging. If, a body movement is not
detected, a display high-definition image is not displayed.
The radiographic imaging system (the control apparatus 100)
according to the present disclosure includes a system control unit
202 that receives a plurality of reduced images included in a
radiographic image in stages from a radiographic imaging apparatus
110, and a display control unit 204 that, in a case where the
radiographic image meets a pre-determined standard, displays a
first image generated from the reduced images on a display device
103, and in a case where the radiographic image does not meet the
standard, displays on the display device 103 a second image
generated from more reduced images than the reduced images from
which the first image is generated. The second image is an image
generated from all the reduced images included in the radiographic
image. The first image is an image generated based on a smaller
number of reduced images than all the reduced images included in
the radiographic image.
In other words, the radiographic imaging system (the control
apparatus 100) according to the present disclosure includes a
system control unit 202 that receives a radiographic image from a
radiographic imaging apparatus 110, and a display control unit 204
that, in a case where the radiographic image meets a pre-determined
standard, displays a low-resolution image (a low-definition image)
on a display device 103, and in a case where the radiographic image
does not meet the standard, displays a high-resolution image (a
high-definition image) on the display device 103.
The radiographic imaging system (the control apparatus 100)
according to the present embodiment includes an image processing
unit 203 that, in a case where the system control unit 202 receives
a first number of the reduced images, generates the first image
based on the first number of the reduced images, and in a case
where the system control unit 202 receives a second number of the
reduced images greater than the first number, generates the second
image based on the second number of the reduced images. The
radiographic imaging system (the control apparatus 100) according
to the present embodiment includes a substandard image
determination unit 206 that determines whether the radiographic
image meets the standard based on the second image. Based on the
first image, the substandard image determination unit 206
determines whether the radiographic image meets the standard.
The display control unit 204 performs control to, in a case where a
resolution of the display device 103 is greater than or equal to a
threshold and in a case where the radiographic image does not meet
the standard, display the second image. The display control unit
204 performs control to, in a case where the resolution of the
display device 103 is less than the threshold, display the first
image, regardless of whether the radiographic image meets the
standard.
The display control unit 204 performs control to, in a case where
the radiographic image does not meet the standard, display, on the
display device 103, information indicating that the radiographic
image does not meet the standard. The display control unit 204
performs control to, in a case where the radiographic image does
not meet the standard, display the second image such that an area
of the second image where the radiographic image is determined as
not meeting the standard is located in a center area of the display
device 103.
Thus, it is possible to shorten the processing time as compared to
a case where a display high-definition image is always displayed.
As described above, the radiographic imaging apparatus 110
according to the present exemplary embodiment displays a display
high-definition image if it is determined that a radiographic image
is a substandard image. Thus, it is possible to improve the
operability of confirmation work for determining whether re-imaging
is necessary.
In the present exemplary embodiment, a display high-definition
image and a display intermediate image are display targets. As a
first variation, a high-definition image and an intermediate image
can be display targets as other examples.
As a second variation, when displaying the display high-definition
image in step S414, the display control unit 204 can display the
display high-definition image by moving the display high-definition
image so that the area where the body movement is detected is
located in a center area of the display device 103. Similarly, also
in step S314, the display control unit 204 can display the display
high-definition image by moving the display high-definition image
so that the area where the body movement is detected is located in
the center area of the display device 103. This makes it easy for
the operator to confirm an area that is determined as not
satisfying a condition.
Next, a radiographic imaging system according to a second exemplary
embodiment will be described focusing mainly on the differences
from the radiographic imaging system according to the first
exemplary embodiment. In the radiographic imaging system according
to the second exemplary embodiment, in the speed-priority mode,
based on an intermediate image, the control apparatus 100
determines whether a radiographic image is a substandard image
(determines the presence or absence of a body movement).
Consequently, a body movement can be detected before a
high-definition image is generated. Thus, it is possible to shorten
the time until the display high-definition image is displayed.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in the speed-priority mode by the control
apparatus 100 according to the second exemplary embodiment. Among
processes in the display process illustrated in FIG. 5, processes
similar to the processes in the display process according to the
first exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 are
designated by the same numbers. After the process of step S404, the
processing proceeds to step S501.
In step S501, based on the intermediate image, the substandard
image determination unit 206 determines whether the received
radiographic image is a substandard image, i.e., whether a body
movement is detected. If a body movement is not detected (NO in
step S501), the processing proceeds to step S405. That is, in this
case, a display intermediate image is displayed on the display
device 103. If a body movement is detected (YES in step S501), the
processing proceeds to step S412. That is, in this case, on the
display device 103, warning information is displayed, and a display
high-definition image is displayed.
After the processes of steps S406 and S414, the processing proceeds
to step S502. In step S502, if either the process of step S406 or
step S414 ends, and the process of step S408 ends, the processing
proceeds to step S410. The rest of the configuration and the
processing of the radiographic imaging system according to the
present exemplary embodiment is similar to the configuration and
the processing of the radiographic imaging system according to the
first exemplary embodiment.
As described above, based on an intermediate image, the control
apparatus 100 according to the second exemplary embodiment
determines whether a radiographic image is a substandard image. If
the radiographic image is determined as a substandard image, the
control apparatus 100 according to the second exemplary embodiment
generates a display high-definition image. Consequently, also in
the radiographic imaging system according to the second exemplary
embodiment, it is possible to improve the operability of
confirmation work for determining whether re-imaging is
necessary.
Next, a radiographic imaging system according to a third exemplary
embodiment will be described focusing mainly on the differences
from the radiographic imaging systems according to other exemplary
embodiments. In the radiographic imaging system according to the
third exemplary embodiment, the radiographic imaging apparatus 110
controls switching to a display high-definition image based on the
resolution of the display device 103. There is a case where,
depending on the monitor size or the resolution of the display
device 103, the display of a display high-definition image is not
useful in determining whether to perform re-imaging. The control
apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment
performs control not to switch to a display high-definition image
in such a case.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in the speed-priority mode by the control
apparatus 100 according to the third exemplary embodiment. Among
processes in the display process illustrated in FIG. 6, processes
similar to the processes in the display process according to the
first exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 are
designated by the same numbers. After the process of step S405, the
processing proceeds to step S601. In step S601, the system control
unit 202 determines whether the resolution of a screen of the
display device 103 is greater than or equal to a threshold. In this
case, the threshold is pre-set. For example, a resolution of
1024.times.1280 is set as the threshold. The threshold only need to
be resolution enabling distinction between a display intermediate
image and a display high-definition image in visual determination,
and is not limited to that in the exemplary embodiment. If the
resolution is greater than or equal to the threshold (YES in step
S601), the processing proceeds to step S406. If the resolution is
less than the threshold (NO in step S601), the processing proceeds
to step S602.
In step S602, based on the intermediate image, the substandard
image determination unit 206 determines whether the received
radiographic image is a substandard image, i.e., whether a body
movement is detected. If a body movement is not detected (NO in
step S602), the processing proceeds to step S406. If a body
movement is detected (YES in step S602), the processing proceeds to
step S603. In step S603, the display control unit 204 performs
control to display, on the display device 103, warning information
indicating that a body movement is detected. The display control
unit 204 performs control to display, in a superimposed manner on
the radiographic image that is being displayed, a frame line
indicating an area where the body movement is detected. This
process is similar to the process of step S412.
In step S409, the system control unit 202 performs control to start
parallel processing between the processes of step S410 and
subsequent steps and the processes of step S604 and subsequent
steps. In step S604, the system control unit 202 determines whether
the resolution of the display device 103 is greater than or equal
to a threshold. If the resolution is greater than or equal to the
threshold (YES in step S604), the processing proceeds to step S411.
If the resolution is less than the threshold (NO in step S604), the
processing ends. As described above, if the resolution is greater
than or equal to the threshold and a body movement is detected, the
radiographic imaging apparatus 110 performs control to display a
display high-definition image. If the resolution is less than the
threshold, the radiographic imaging apparatus 110 performs control
not to switch a display target to a display high-definition image,
regardless of the presence or absence of a body movement. The rest
of the configuration and the processing of the radiographic imaging
system according to the third exemplary embodiment is similar to
the configuration and the processing of each of the radiographic
imaging systems according to the other exemplary embodiments.
As described above, the control apparatus 100 according to the
third exemplary embodiment restricts the display of a display
high-definition image based on the resolution of the display
device. Thus, it is possible to prevent a display high-definition
image from being unnecessarily displayed.
Next, a radiographic imaging system according to a fourth exemplary
embodiment will be described focusing mainly on the differences
from the radiographic imaging systems according to the other
exemplary embodiments. In the radiographic imaging system according
to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the control apparatus 100
generates and displays a display high-definition image only in an
area where a radiographic image is determined as a substandard
image.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a display process for displaying
a radiographic image in the speed-priority mode by the control
apparatus 100 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. Among
processes in the display process illustrated in FIG. 7, processes
similar to the processes in the display process according to the
first exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4 are
designated by the same numbers. After the process of step S412, the
processing proceeds to step S701. In step S701, the image
processing unit 203 generates a display high-definition image only
in the area where the body movement is detected. Next, in step
S702, the display control unit 204 displays the display
high-definition image in a superimposed manner on the area where
the body movement is detected in the display intermediate image.
The processing then ends. The processing order of the processes of
steps S412 and S701 is not particularly limited. The rest of the
configuration and the processing of the radiographic imaging system
according to the fourth exemplary embodiment is similar to the
configuration and the processing of each of the radiographic
imaging systems according to the other exemplary embodiments.
As described above, the control apparatus 100 according to the
fourth exemplary embodiment displays a display high-definition
image only in an area where a body movement is detected. Thus, it
is possible to shorten the time until the display high-definition
image is displayed.
While desirable exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
have been described in detail, these exemplary embodiments are not
seen to be limiting, and can be modified and changed in various
manners within the scope of the present disclosure described in the
appended claims.
Other Exemplary Embodiments
Embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system or
apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable
instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage
medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a
`non-transitory computer-readable storage medium`) to perform the
functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s)
and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method
performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for
example, reading out and executing the computer executable
instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling
the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of
the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro
processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate
computers or separate processors to read out and execute the
computer executable instructions. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD).TM.), a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be
understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed
exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2018-013688, filed Jan. 30, 2018, which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
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